Event |
Richard III
|
| Venue |
Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand |
| First Date |
1948 |
| Dates Estimated |
No |
| Status |
Professional |
| World Premiere |
No |
| Part of a Tour |
Yes |
| Description |
…Strangely, the cynically evil tyrant was made a likeable fellow with whom we enjoyed lopping off opponents' heads….To build up such a sympathetic response in his audiences as Olivier did in order to quash it later fro dramatic effect, savours a little too much of a theatrical trick…. But the point at which it failed was in the near-burlesque of the chapel window where book tossing and window vaulting ill became the scheming hypocrite that Richard is. The second part, however, was a steadily mounting picture of ruthlessness and final despair and almost redeemed what had gone before. Here were the solid reasons for revival of a part that only genius can touch. This was the Olivier lyricixed by Sybil Thorndike and the inspired actor we had so long and eagerly awaited. … |
| Primary Genre |
Theatre - Spoken Word
|
| Secondary Genre |
Tragedy
|
| Organisations |
|
| Contributors |
|
| Text Nationality |
England
|
| Production Nationality |
England
|
| Further Information |
The international tour by the Old Vic Company in 1948 is described in the book Darlings of the Gods : one year in the lives of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh by Garry O'Connor (Bath : Chivers, 1985). Tour organised by the British Council. International. Wellington & elsewhere. (Also Australia).
|
| Event Status |
Completed
|
| Event Identifier |
190270 |
| Dataset |
Theatre Aotearoa |
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